Tennis Star Has Better Perspective

Sports - Tennis

Josh Krodel Succeeds At Warner Christian On And Off The Court.

SOUTH DAYTONA — Josh Krodel loves surfing nearly as much as tennis. When the Warner Christian tennis standout is not on the courts, you probably will find him riding the waves.

Krodel would be the first person to tell you that all it takes is one wrong turn on the water and you can be dragged under. Still, he never thought the same thing could happen on land.

Last season as a freshman, Krodel was undefeated en route to capturing the Five Star Conference crown for Spruce Creek at No. 3 singles. Then a tidal wave of sorts pulled him down and ended his season.

''I was doing well until after conference when my grades slipped,'' Krodel said. ''Then I wasn't allowed to play the rest of the season.''

That setback gave him time for serious soul thinking. It took a while, but Krodel finally figured out he went to Spruce Creek for all the wrong reasons.

''I went to Spruce Creek last year,'' Krodel said, ''because I figured you would get recognition at a public school more than a 1A private school like Warner.''

So Krodel, who attended elementary school at Warner, returned to his roots.

''We've sat down a lot and talked about where he can go and what he can do with his ability,'' Warner Christian Athletic Director Jack Clark said. ''We've set some tough goals for him, and he seems to be accepting the challenge.''

One challenge was to excel on the court, and Krodel has responded by capturing his first nine matches at the No. 1 position. Another was to hit the books, and so far the results have been much improved. The sophomore has a 2.8 grade-point average.

''He pushes himself on the tennis court, and he's beginning to do the same thing in the classroom,'' Clark said. ''He realizes he has to put forward as much effort in the classroom as he does outside.''

Last year Krodel needed his teammates on Spruce Creek's Five Star Conference championship team to push him at practice. This year it's self-reliance.

''It's a new challenge,'' Krodel said. ''I'm really just rewarding myself if I play well. That's why I like playing tennis. If I lose, it's my fault and not the rest of the team's.''

Krodel has a legitimate chance of earning a trip to state.

''Josh has found the one important key that a lot of good athletes haven't found yet,'' Clark said. ''That is, he realized you have to work hard at improving yourself.''